Somdev a victory away from US Open main draw

India's Somdev Devvarman is one victory away from making the US Open main draw as he won his second round in the qualifiers against Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 at Flushing Meadows in New York.

India's Somdev Devvarman is one victory away from making the US Open main draw as he won his second round in the qualifiers against Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Somdev, a two-time US collegiate winner from University of Virginia, next plays Poland's Jerzy Janowicz who beat Frenchman Alexandfre Sidorenko, 7-6 (5), 6-3 to get to the final round on Thursday.

Somdev took the first set with little difficulty, but Sijsling waged a relentless battle to win the second-set tie-break. The set - the best of the match with no service break -was replete with long rallies and Somdev came up with some crisp volleying.

The tiebreaker was furiously fought with neither player willing to budge. One of the points was of 21 strokes and Somdev was under pressure. The Indian saved five set points before giving in.

Unmindful of the reverse, Somdev came back strongly to gain control of the decider very early and went through without any more hiccups.